The Classification System Requirements The Why, What and How Jason Hallowes

Structure of presentation Why do we need the classification system? Why do we need the classification system? What is the classification system? What is the classification system? What is the conceptual framework for a classification system What is the conceptual framework for a classification system What are the modelling requirements of the classification system What are the modelling requirements of the classification system Demonstration Demonstration

Classification system (Why?) The Problem: “The previous Water Act of 1956 only dealt with water in public streams and did not deal seriously with environmental issues, equity issues and downstream requirements” (Seetal and Perkins, 2003) The Problem: “The previous Water Act of 1956 only dealt with water in public streams and did not deal seriously with environmental issues, equity issues and downstream requirements” (Seetal and Perkins, 2003) Retaining the Riparian rights system… Retaining the Riparian rights system… Would enforce the “status quo” ……thus influencing equity considerations Would enforce the “status quo” ……thus influencing equity considerations Would introduce economic inefficiencies Would introduce economic inefficiencies Would compromise sustainability and reduced ecosystem services Would compromise sustainability and reduced ecosystem services

Classification system (Why?) The changes in the South African Government in 1994 and associated political and social environment provided an opportunity to move to a different system of allocating entitlements to water. The changes in the South African Government in 1994 and associated political and social environment provided an opportunity to move to a different system of allocating entitlements to water. The system is referred to as a Licensing System, whereby entitlements to use water are issued by a water management authority. The system is referred to as a Licensing System, whereby entitlements to use water are issued by a water management authority. The “licensing system” can address the shortcomings of the old Riparian Rights System, thus leading to improved beneficial allocation and use of water in South Africa. The “licensing system” can address the shortcomings of the old Riparian Rights System, thus leading to improved beneficial allocation and use of water in South Africa.

Classification system (Why?) Uncontrolled developments could have lead to the compromising of the ecosystem integrity which would have resulted in loss of ecosystem services thus compromising the long term sustainability of a water resource system Uncontrolled developments could have lead to the compromising of the ecosystem integrity which would have resulted in loss of ecosystem services thus compromising the long term sustainability of a water resource system Thus, there is more emphasis on the improved management and allocation of water resources which recognises: Thus, there is more emphasis on the improved management and allocation of water resources which recognises: The importance of ecosystem integrity (Protection) in maintaining the assurance of supply in terms of quantity and quality The importance of ecosystem integrity (Protection) in maintaining the assurance of supply in terms of quantity and quality The importance of utilising resources in the interests of public benefit (Development). The importance of utilising resources in the interests of public benefit (Development).

Classification system (Why? What?)  The National Government, as custodian of the nation’s water resources, is mandated to ensure the protection, use, development, conservation, management and control of the nation’s water resources is achieved in a sustainable and equitable manner, for the benefit of all South Africans.

Classification System (what?) The first stage of the PROTECTION process (NWA) The first stage of the PROTECTION process (NWA) Provides a framework (Definitions, guidelines and procedures) for negotiating the classes of a resource and setting the RQOs for all or parts of a significant resource Provides a framework (Definitions, guidelines and procedures) for negotiating the classes of a resource and setting the RQOs for all or parts of a significant resource The classification system encompasses the process whereby the resource is codified (into classes) through a consultative process into both the present and future desired state The classification system encompasses the process whereby the resource is codified (into classes) through a consultative process into both the present and future desired state The selection of a class reflects the negotiated importance given to protection and development for a given resource The selection of a class reflects the negotiated importance given to protection and development for a given resource

Classification system (What) RQO: RQO: Set clear goals for resource quality (quantity, quality, habitat integrity etc) Set clear goals for resource quality (quantity, quality, habitat integrity etc) CRUX: A balance is needed between protection and development CRUX: A balance is needed between protection and development Statement of intent (influences the allocatable resource and individual license users) Statement of intent (influences the allocatable resource and individual license users) The classification system thus, once developed, provides a framework that can be used by all parties in the management and use of water resources according to the Class and established RQOs The classification system thus, once developed, provides a framework that can be used by all parties in the management and use of water resources according to the Class and established RQOs

Classification system (What) The classification system seeks to develop a meaningful framework which allows stakeholders to negotiate a desired class. The classification system seeks to develop a meaningful framework which allows stakeholders to negotiate a desired class. The class reflects the importance given to protection and/or development. The class reflects the importance given to protection and/or development. The class will influence the nature and number of entitlements issued against different water resources. (i.e. who gets entitlements, and with what conditions attached). The class will influence the nature and number of entitlements issued against different water resources. (i.e. who gets entitlements, and with what conditions attached). The classification system therefore influences the allocatable resource The classification system therefore influences the allocatable resource Provides a framework against which individual licenses can be assessed in terms of water quantity and quality Provides a framework against which individual licenses can be assessed in terms of water quantity and quality The Reserve and associated IFR, EFR etc form part of the classification system The Reserve and associated IFR, EFR etc form part of the classification system

Conceptual framework

Management objectives ISO Rules for Impact modification Activities/impacts Modified impacts Classification process 2. Define Current State 4. Management classification 3. Define future Desired State (RQO, Reserve) Environmental SocialEconomic 2. Combined Current Class 1. Classification System Environmental Elements Biophysical Elements 3. Combined Future Class Environmental Elements Biophysical Elements

Framework to assess tradeoffs Communicate with regional DWAF, CMA and more specifically actual individual stakeholders Communicate with regional DWAF, CMA and more specifically actual individual stakeholders Risk Risk Common language Common language Water as a factor of production for: Water as a factor of production for: Agricultural Agricultural Risk crop failure (Poor quality, low quantity) Risk crop failure (Poor quality, low quantity) How often? How severe? How often? How severe? Industry Industry Risk process shutdown (Poor quality, low quantity) Risk process shutdown (Poor quality, low quantity) How often? How severe? How often? How severe? Water required for survival of: Water required for survival of: People People Risk people ill or dead from thirst or disease (Poor quality, low quantity) Risk people ill or dead from thirst or disease (Poor quality, low quantity) How often? How severe? How often? How severe? Ecology Ecology Ecosystem failure species die (Poor quality, low quantity) Ecosystem failure species die (Poor quality, low quantity) How often? How severe? How often? How severe?

Environmental needs Water Users Needs FRAMEWORK TO CAPTURE TRADE OFFS Risk Analysis Hazard threshold Combined Needs COMBINED SCORE COST BENEFIT TRADEOFF Water Users S/E BenefitsWater Users S/E Costs Environmental S/E Benefits Water Users Impacts Want GET

Modelling requirements Sustainability Sustainability Need a framework that can assess the impacts that various users have on the entire resource. Therefore we need to consider the groundwater - surface water interaction as well as water quantity and quality (All elements Not Just Salinity) Need a framework that can assess the impacts that various users have on the entire resource. Therefore we need to consider the groundwater - surface water interaction as well as water quantity and quality (All elements Not Just Salinity) Balance and tradeoff Balance and tradeoff Need system that not only can model the impacts but can also assess the social and economic benefits and costs in terms of protection and development. Need system that not only can model the impacts but can also assess the social and economic benefits and costs in terms of protection and development. MCDA framework linked into GIS is perhaps the most effective MCDA framework linked into GIS is perhaps the most effective

Modelling requirements Transparency Transparency Negotiated, consultative solution. Therefore inputs and outputs need to be communicated and understood by the users, catchment managers and third party stakeholders. (Risk) Negotiated, consultative solution. Therefore inputs and outputs need to be communicated and understood by the users, catchment managers and third party stakeholders. (Risk) GIS represents a framework within which users can interact effectively (Promotes understanding) GIS represents a framework within which users can interact effectively (Promotes understanding) Implementability Implementability Transaction costs need to be low Transaction costs need to be low Setup time needs minimized Setup time needs minimized Scenario changes setup must be quick Scenario changes setup must be quick Water managers and licensing officials need to be able to set up and run scenario changes according to need Water managers and licensing officials need to be able to set up and run scenario changes according to need Inputs and outputs must be understood by participating and influenced stakeholders Inputs and outputs must be understood by participating and influenced stakeholders

Demonstration